Chapter 6
“Y/N/N!! Josh’s home!!” Katie comes running back in the house with Duke trailing her.
I’ve been trying to help James get a little more familiar with the new world he’s in. He’s pretty familiar with some things but he’s still struggling with the concept of the internet. Things can change pretty fast in the modern day.
“We’ll go into town sometime next week and get you a phone. That way we can stay in contact when needed.” I get up from the couch as James nods his head. He sets the laptop back on the coffee table and runs a hand through his hair.
I walk into the mudroom and out to the porch where Josh is waving bye to his friend as they drive away.
“How was the sleepover Josh?” I take his duffel bag as he walks up the stairs.
“Fun as always.” I stop in front of the door, getting ready to explain things to him.
“Hey. Come sit with me?” I motion him over to the rocking chairs where we both take a seat.
“I need to talk to you about something Josh. It’s really important, ok?”
“Ok?” Josh says whirely, side glancing at me.
“I have a friend over and he’s going to be staying with us for a while. But….he’s a little different from the people around here. I don’t want you going around and telling everybody about him. You can’t tell nobody at school, church, in town, at the diner. Nowhere you hear me?” I give him a stern look making sure he’s paying attention.
“Yes.”
“Now I don’t want you to be scared of him either, ok? He’s a very nice and polite man.”
“OK.” We get up and I lead Josh into the family room where Bucky’s sitting on the couch reading a book.
“James, this is Josh. Josh, this is James.” I watch between the two nervous. James comes around the couch to Josh and I watch as Josh’s arm shoots from James’ arm to his face.
“Nice to meet you Mr. Barnes.” Josh extends his hand out and James takes it, obviously nervous.
“Nice to meet you too Josh.” James takes Josh’s hand with an apprehensive look as he greets the boy.
“How’d you know his name Josh?” I look between him and James a little nervous. If Josh knows about James then how much of the town will know about him?
“We saw him in the museum a couple years ago. None of the kids were paying attention of course but I thought he was pretty amazing. Going into the Army and everything during World War Two.” Josh shrugs his shoulders but I can see how tense he is.
“So you’re comfortable being around James?” I place a hand on Josh's shoulder as a reassuring gesture, letting him know that nothing bad is going to happen.
“Not really. He’s still a stranger but he needs a place to stay.”
“How do you know he needs a place to stay?” My tone comes out a little harsh. I didn’t mean for it to but the way Josh casually says it grates me the wrong way.
“He’s the Winter Soldier.” James lets out a small wince and takes a couple steps back. “I mean he’s technically not the Winter Soldier. The Winter Soldier is kind of like an alter ego. He’s a completely different person than Mr. Barnes.” Josh’s words come out fast and mushed together, trying his best to amend his blunt words.
“How do you know about the Winter Soldier, Josh?”
“I did some of my own research. I heard a little about it on the radio and then sometime last night someone released a whole lot of government files.” I stare at Josh surprised. So far he and Ryan seem to be the only ones up to date on James since everyone in town hasn't said a word. But yet again no one in this town pays attention to anything on the news.
“Do any of the kids or people in town know any of this?”
“No. They’re more focused on what's going on with the football team than what's happening outside of town.”
“You swear it?” I know nobody pays attention to things but I still want to make sure it’s safe for James to go into town with us. I don’t want to leave him locked up here all the time.
“I swear it.” Josh holds his right hand over his heart and his right up in the air.
“Alright. Go get showered and freshened up.” I ruffle his hair as he runs past me and up the stairs.
James and I stand across from each other in silence. I can see the gears turning in his head, the doubt creeping in.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not scared of me?”
“Would you stop asking me that?” I let out a frustrated sigh as I turned and walked into the kitchen.
“Will you answer me truthfully?” He follows me into the kitchen and sits at the small pub table.
“I am James.” I grab down two glasses and open the fridge to grab the jug of orange juice.
“No you’re not. You’re trying to lie to a highly trained assassin. No one can lie to me.”
“Ok fine. I’m afraid. But not of you. I’m afraid of the Winter Soldier, not James Barnes.”
We have a small staring contest before James scoffs and walks out the room. He walks over to the couch and picks up the book he was reading before Josh came in.
“Don’t be surprised if one day I just pack up and leave. You can't protect me. You and I both know that.”
“You go right ahead and do that. You don’t know where to go so we’ll see how well you make it out in this day and age.” I shove the jug of orange juice back into the fridge and slam the door shut.
“As for protecting you, I can always try. I didn’t grow up giving up when things get tough.”
“It’s going to end in a fight, Y/N. It’s best if I leave.”
“It doesn’t always need to end in a fight.”
“It always does.”
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Word Count: 1047